clam

a clam, protected between two hard shells

a kind of sea animal – mollusc – a general name given to any of small to large shellfish with two equal shells with a hinge that close the animal in (bivalves); soft body without head or eyes, but with kidney, heart, mouth, arm-like organs to dig the burrows or to move, etc.; feed on plankton (= very tiny plant-like creatures in water) which they get by filter feeding (= taking the water in and passing it through fine feather like organs that filter the tiny particles); as the name is a general term used loosely for any bivalves, it is not easy to give a number to all the species (kinds); on average, live for 10-20 years, it is estimated that some species live up to 40 years; found on sand or in mud (silt) in sea waters all over the world

a giant clam

 

male ~~ male (in some species only)

female ~~ female (in some species only)

In some other species an individual clam is capable of being both a male and a female.

baby ~~ larva, littleneck

group ~~ bed  {a bed of clams}

Special Features:

‘clam’ in ornaments

The shells of clams have been worn as ornaments, used as money, and used for decorating places for thousands of years by people.

clam as food

They have been a very good food source for many people for many years.

There are large clam farms in many places around the world.

The reproductive system in clams is very interesting: in some species the male releases sperm into the water and the females release millions of eggs, and the eggs fertilise in water; but in some species the same parent clam releases sperm first and then the eggs into the water, and the eggs fertilise in water.

Figures of Speech:

1.

clam (noun)  =  a very secretive/uncommunicative person (= a person who refuses to talk about something; who keeps himself to himself)

2.

bearded clam  =  [said of a woman’s sex organs] {not to be used in formal situations}

3.

as close as a clam  =

(a)  [said of a person who is very careful with his money – does not spend, or give to anybody; stingy; mean]

(b)  [said of a person who is very tight-mouthed, tight-lipped, clam, i.e. not giving any information, usually about something he/she knows well]

4.

as happy as a clam at high tide  =  very happy

5.

(a)  to clam up

(b)  to shut up like a clam     =  to refuse to talk

(c)  ‘clamming up’

6.

a clamshell CD case

clambake  =

(a)  a noisy, gay social party

(b)  a picnic by the sea where clams and other seafood are cooked in a special way and eaten

7.

clamshell  =  a plastic container (box) which has two equal parts joined by a hinge that can be closed shut

For an interesting article on ‘clams’, please click here.

Return to “clam” in People & Professions.

About the Author:BC Kumar

BC Kumar, an English Language Teacher, taught in numerous countries including Ethiopia, Oman and India, shares his knowledge and passion for the English Language. Disclaimer: This is a free educational website and all content has been compiled by the author. All copyrights to images and videos belong to their respective owners.

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